During the traditional Shastra Puja (weapon worship) ritual on Vijayadashami at the Police Lines in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, a video went viral showing Superintendent of Police (SP) Ankita Sharma—popularly dubbed “Lady Singham”—firing multiple rounds into the air using an AK-47 assault rifle while clad in a saree.
The incident has ignited a nationwide debate concerning firearm safety, protocols, and police discipline versus symbolic empowerment.
Breakdown of Key Perspectives & Criticisms
1. Military Veterans & Protocol Experts
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Safety Violations: Former Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon (Retd) sharply criticized the video on X, labeling it a “black demo of authority without responsibility”. He cited major safety violations, including handling a loaded service weapon incorrectly, pointing it near bystanders, firing in unauthorized attire, and ignoring standard training academy drills.
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Distinction Between Worship and Firing: Lieutenant Colonel Sandeep Ahlawat (Retd) and Lt. Col. Sushil Singh Sheoran (Retd) emphasized that Shastra Puja is meant for honoring weapons, not discharging live ammunition into the air as a public spectacle.
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Trajectory Risk: Retired IPS officer R.K. Vij and other senior officers noted that celebratory firing into the air carries severe risks, as falling bullets can inflict fatal injuries on people in surrounding areas.
2. State Government Response
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Official Action: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao acknowledged the incident, stating that the state government would formally take cognizance of the matter.
3. Defenders & Women Empowerment Viewpoints
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Symbol of Empowerment: Supporters, including legal advocate N.K. Goswami, praised SP Ankita Sharma as a modern embodiment of strength. Defenders argued that trusting women officers with command, duty, and firepower challenges outdated notions that women only need protection rather than authority.
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Cultural Context: Other social media users defended her, contending that firing blank or ceremonial rounds during Shastra Puja is a long-standing tradition observed across several police lines in the state, and suggested that part of the viral backlash stemmed merely from her performing the act in traditional attire (a saree).
